Click on video above: "Pastor's Corner - April 19, 2021"
Gospel Reflection
The Parable of the Good Shepherd
Editor's Note: Sunday’s Gospel reading will be John 10:11-18 where Jesus speaks of himself as “The Good Shepherd.” Below is a reflection on this theme.
by Dr. Greg Lanier

Deep-rooted metaphors (God is our rock, love is a journey, and so on) help us grasp truths that otherwise might slip through our mental fingers. John 10 is a prominent example. The complex “word picture” (v. 6; “parable” in some translations) of the shepherd, sheep, the gate to the sheep pen, and would-be thieves gets to the heart of who Jesus is—and how we are called to follow His voice alone. Like any good metaphor, it ripples outward across several contexts. Let us trace them out.

Using details of shepherding familiar to his audience, Jesus envisions a large sheep pen with a gatekeeper guarding the door to ensure that only the real shepherds go in and out with their vulnerable sheep. READ MORE
Earth Day Suggestions from the Environmental Justice Subcommittee
This year for Earth Day consider some actions you can take individually or as a family. Here are five actions you can take to improve our Creation and consider the Poor.

1.Take part in a Blue Water Baltimore event, volunteer to plant trees in Baltimore
2. Reduce your energy footprint! Act on these ideas from Anne Stephenson Boyle.
3. Join a CSA! Read Julie Laudick Dougherty’s article on Community Supported Agriculture, and John and Julie’s work to start their own CSA.
4. Read the "OVERSTORY!", the Pulitzer Prize winning story of trees, and a handful of people who learn how to see that world, being drawn into its unfolding catastrophe. Recommended by Fr Casciotti. Read Article
5. Volunteer to make Casseroles for Our Daily Bread! One of the best ways to provide a small improvement to food justice in Baltimore City. Information
Interesting Thoughts...
by John Backman

When you think of Jesus in the gospels, what images come to mind? Maybe, like me, you think of Jesus in the way we all know and love: He has compassion on the crowds, heals the lepers, raises the dead and endures the cross, identifying with us all the way to death. As God incarnate, He is both acquainted with being human and a model for being human.

But in one extended passage from the Gospel of Mark, this comforting image goes off the rails. Starting in chapter 7, He proceeds to:
  • Use an ethnic slur (7:24-30)
  • Sigh under the weight of exasperation and stress — twice (7:34, 8:11-13)
  • Go into a tirade over a misunderstanding (8:14-21)
  • Ask a question that may indicate insecurity about His mission (8:27-30)

You don’t hear this perspective from the pulpit very often. It’s not the way I’ve read these passages in the past. But taken together as a narrative, they present a picture of Jesus considerably more unsettling than,“gentle Jesus, meek and mild.” READ MORE
Upcoming Events



April 11th through Pentecost, May 23rd, 2021
11:00 am - 12:15 pm
(Via Zoom)

April 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
(Via Zoom)

April 21 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
(Via Google Meet)



April 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
(Via Zoom)


May 1 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
(Via Zoom)
Offerings and Prayer
HOW TO GIVE  
How to contribute during this
COVID-19 season.

PRAYER LIST
A list of those who have been added to our weekly prayer list.

Offerings and Prayer
Who will Joe Biden send to Rome? 8 top contenders for U.S. ambassador to the Vatican
As Joseph R. Biden Jr., the second Catholic president in U.S. history, continues to fill out his administration, a number of important executive and ambassadorial nominees will go before the Senate. One position of particular interest for American Catholics is the U.S. ambassadorship to the Holy See. READ MORE
When certain personalities get to the point of being celebrities, it’s easy for us non-famous people to forget that they are still people. And no matter what public image celebrities might portray, they’re in the middle of their own life journey with their perspectives on life, priorities and, yes, faith.

Despite the faith’s demographic popularity — 78 percent of all American adults identify as Christians — it can still be surprising to encounter conversations about Christianity in the media, outside of religious outlets. But even when it’s not within the context of church or Christian TV, the influences of the Bible and faith are prevalent among everyone from comedians and rock stars to business leaders and celebrities. And while their lifestyles and personal choices may not necessarily reflect a conventional view of faith, their thoughts certainly provide an enlightening — even inspiring — window into their spiritual journeys.

Here’s a look at eight unexpected conversations about faith, church, Jesus and Christianity in mainstream pop culture. READ MORE
READER NOTIFICATION:  

Parish: 'the thought' is a publication of St. Ignatius Catholic Community-Baltimore. Each edition contains articles and news feeds that are included for awareness of current topics in our world today. The positions expressed by outside authors and news feeds are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of St. Ignatius Catholic Community or its staff.

 - This e-zine was designed and compiled by John C. Odean